Table of Contents

Preface. The Psychological Nature and Functions of Religion. Foundations for an Empirical Psychology of Religion.

Religion and Biology. Religion in Childhood. Religious Socialization and Thought in Adolescence and Young Adulthood. The Form and Content of Adult Religion. The Roles and Functions of Religion in Adult Life. Religion and Death. Religious Experience. Mysticism. Conversion. The Social Psychology of Religious Organizations. Religion and Morality. Helping Behavior and Prejudice. Religion, Coping, and Adjustment. Religion and Mental Disorder. Epilogue.

Reviews

'With this updated and expanded edition, The Psychology of Religion reaffirms its status as the most comprehensive and authoritative text on the topic. This is the first place I turn - and where I send students and colleagues - with virtually any question about theory or research in the field. In one volume, it is both an accessible textbook for teachers and students and an encyclopedic reference for researchers and scholars.' - Lee A. Kirkpatrick, College of William & Mary

'Perhaps for the first time, it is becoming difficult to keep up with advances in the psychology of religion. The vitality of the field makes the third edition of this volume all the more indispensable. Pioneers in the field, Spilka et al. integrate important new research findings into their comprehensive text. They add further depth to the volume through coverage of such emerging topics as spirituality, forgiveness, religious doubting, and the biology of religion. This book remains the definitive scientifically oriented work on the psychology of religion, and will be a useful text in graduate-level seminars.' - Kenneth I. Pargament, Bowling Green State University

"In this update of their classic book, Spilka et al. maintain their scholarly but highly readable integration of major research areas, incorporating recent developments in the field as well as other relevant issues in our post-9/11 world. Importantly, the volume's organizing perspective has been broadened to emphasize meaning seeking and meaning making, and new chapters have been included on the foundations of empirical psychology, the form and role of religion in adult life, and helping behavior and prejudice. This book is an essential text for upper-level undergraduate students and graduate students...and a valuable resource for scholars, mental health practitioners, and clergy." - Crystal Park, University of Connecticut

"A landmark in the field since its original publication, this third edition is one of the best and most up-to-date reviews of the psychology of religion. Without neglecting the 'grand theories,' the authors restrict themselves mainly to a well-balanced and highly readable presentation and discussion of the results of contemporary and recent empirical studies. A laudable effort is made to integrate international developments and perspectives with North American scholarship, and to do justice to the increasing body of hermeneutical and qualitative research in the field. This book continues to be an indispensable source of information for teachers and students in the psychology of religion (and a goldmine for research seminars!). It will also appeal to researchers and scholars in related disciplines who want to stay abreast of the current state of the art." - Jacob A. Belzen, University of Amsterdam, The Netherlands